UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[WingsFan]

True, we haven't really used the TE position honestly, as I think Harbaugh will in the future. Besides trying to be another blocker for the most part.

Jake Butt (IMO) wasn't a "true TE", but I know people want to sell recruits on his ability. He is a slot/TE when you split him out and force a safety or a linebacker to cover him. He (IMO) isn't a true TE for the simple fact that his blocking isn't pretty and in a lot of times he is either taken out of the game or split him out on a running play.

Our best "true TE" (IMO) actually walked away from the team (Asiasi) this year and went back to California.

We have had way to many guys like A.J Williams, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (so far), Hill, Poggi, etc... The position group needs to be recruited better and also exploited on game-day.

[iam416]

I think Butt is closer to a "true TE" these days than not. Nick Vannett, IMO, was closer to the old days "true TE". But these days the NFL wants guys who can put pressure on the defense. Blocking is less important.

[Da Geezer]

Anyway, Muhammed is a top-shelf guy that wants to play for M. I'm not sure you can realistically expect anything more.

You mean he is better than Luke Schoonmaker, who went Blue today? Hard to believe. After all, Luke is the 601th best recruit in the country.

What is wrong with this year's recruiting at UM?

[WM Wolverine]

McGrone LB (4*) to decide soon, very, very likely M. Really like his talent level, athleticism at LB.

[hack]

This recruiting class is hard to get excited about, regardless of its size.

[The Oracle]

Same posts on recruiting every summer. Never worry about recruiting 7 months from signing day.

[WM Wolverine]

We were going to land two TE's regardless after missing out in '17, your #2 TE in a class is rarely one you're going to get excited out. This class value/ranking/etc will be how it finishes, right now it's not very promising.

Cameron McGrone deciding in the next weeks will make me quite happy with our LB class...

Eyabi Anoma DE is visiting for the BBQ and a recruit I'd love to steal from PSU, Bama and the Mid Atlantic...

I think we can steal Shayne Simon if the Irish can't win 7+ games and they have a pretty tough schedule; lots of 'good' teams on their schedule...

We are very likely to land TE target, Mustapha Muhammad...

Myles Sims DB is going to be a terrific DB (FS or CB), Green's are very much underrated; especially the lower ranked one...

Not very optimistic on any one DT target (Friday, Sandidge, Thompson) but M should be able to pull in one of them as M is probably in 2nd place for all three.

No optimism for the two 5-star Cali WR/CB's (St. Brown, Taylor-Stuart) but if we can get them on campus for an official visit in the Fall; our chances skyrocket.

M is recruiting Josh Jobe CB (4*, Miami commit) like he's uncommitted; they are competing against Bama too...

Emil Ekiyor OG is flirting with Bama, he's been clear to coaching staff he was going to take visits. Really like his potential, talent level but OG are usually replaceable...

Doesn't appear M will land a top WR in this class but they loaded up so heavily in '17, they opportunity/need is nearly zero...

Christian Turner RB isn't a favorite of mine but he can certainly play at the B1G level, he's rated lower than I'd put him. I don't think he'll be an every down back for M but he's got B1G talent... With Chris Evans on-board, opportunity is a difficult to sell. I hope we can land a 5-star caliber RB in '19...

We'll see who else visits for the BBQ this weekend but it appears it's a lot of blue chip '19 recruits more than recruits from '18...

I don't see much of any needs for M, they just need to stockpile best talent available. The coaching staff likes this recruiting class a lot better than the recruiting services and feel they have guys who are very coach-able, hardworking and guys who they can develop into plus B1G players.

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McGrone LB + 1 of the 3 DT's and Anoma DE (or similar) and I'll really love this defensive recruiting class. I think they'll add another defensive back too...

Offensively, I expect Muhammad TE to come aboard in the fall, winter along with another offensive lineman whose not very highly ranked. Not a really good class offensively but it fills the very, very few needs we had. This class isn't overly critical in my eyes as they'll have to wait their turn for the '16/'17 recruits. We'll be able to sell playing time a lot more to the recruiting class of '19 and hopefully we'll be back to a top 4-7 recruiting class.

[The Oracle]

Might lack the star power at the end of the day, but will he littered with top 75-300 4 stars that will solidify depth with really talented guys. I'd say that's worse case for this class, and still one i believe will be 23+ as far as numbers go.

[Hannibal]

This class doesn't address the need for a couple of blue-chippers at tackle. The '17 and '18 classes are loaded with developmental prospects and OG/OT types. We have seen what happens against elite DL when you have average OL, and Harbaugh does not recruit the style of QB who erases OL mistakes.

Next year's class will need to be both large and densely populated with elite talent.

[iam416]

I think lacking top 75 players is the realistic case for M's class. IMO, you have to look hard and with HARBAUGH!!! colored glasses to get excited about where it is and going.

[Da Geezer]

Talent, do you have an opinion on why PSU is doing so well? It is hard for me to believe that winning the "championship" last year could have that much impact. Anyone who follows the B10 knows PSU was the third best team (at best) in the conference.

[WM Wolverine]

PSU top 10 recruits are from; Pennsylvania (4), Virginia (2), New Jersey (2), Maryland (1) & Massachusetts (1). Good year for talent in that region, less competition in that region from VT.

[iam416]

I'm not sure they're doing anything too special. They've got a couple good east coast kids, including the WR from NJ. Ricky Slade has always liked them (and the B10), so he was an easy pick up. But, you know, it's Penn State. They are, IMO, recruiting where they SHOULD.

Now, if they were pulling kids from Florida or Georgia or Texas, etc then you'd have to take notice. As it is, I think they're pretty much staying in their lane.

I'm don't think they're going to close big.

[iam416]

Dammit. WM beat me to it, but that's two independent posts saying the same thing.

[Jeff Buchanan]

There's no disputing that there is a direct relationship between the level of talent on the roster (as measured by the recruiting services) and winning.

You can't be enamored with Harbaugh's trajectory regarding his ability to attract then close on top talent. I agree with Hanni's assessment on the OL. OT recruiting hasn't been good enough to overcome elite DL talent on defenses that M is going to face when competing for championships.

Frankly, on a historical basis (in the modern CFB era), M has always been a step or two behind elite status, even at the top of M's game. It's hard to put a finger on any single reason for that ...... and I'm not even talking about the RR/Hoke debacle that was the last decade.